Approaching the courtesan, Viserys Targaryen carefully observed Nightingale, not just for her looks.
Beyond her beauty, Nightingale also possessed an aura of mystery.
Viserys couldn't help but admire how these top courtesans were all incredibly well-connected and had powerful backgrounds.
Black Pearl and Shadow Girl had ties to the House of Black and White, while Nightingale had connections to the Temple of the Moonsingers.
Each doorway of the Temple of the Moonsingers was flanked by a pair of tall marble maidens, supporting a crescent-shaped lintel.
Perhaps not just Nightingale, but another courtesan named Moon Shadow also had ties to the Moonsingers.
The head courtesan, like Black Pearl, was likely not just a collaborator, but someone with connections at every level.
"The Temple of the Moonsingers? Miss Nightingale isn't joking with me, is she?" Viserys asked.
Viserys hadn't expected the major patron behind Nightingale to be the Temple of the Moonsingers.
"Braavosis never joke about dragons or Moonsingers. Without the Moonsingers, there would be no city," Nightingale said with a smile, her red lips exuding an ultimate allure, her face showing both charm and purity.
Her teeth were white and lustrous, and her speech was fragrant and eloquent.
Beauty was merely the foundation for a courtesan; other skills included languages, customs, literature, history, art, dance, singing, sword fighting, and wine tasting.
The effort and money required to train a courtesan were immense.
"These courtesans aren't easy to bed," Viserys thought to himself. They were all backed by powerful patrons, representing major factions.
The swordswoman also nodded. Comparing herself to Nightingale, the distinction between top-tier and second-rate was clear.
The beautiful and gentle courtesan had actually paved the way for Viserys to the Moonsingers.
The Moonsingers held an extraordinary position in Braavos, arguably the greatest contributors to its founding.
When the slave ship from Sothoryos rebelled, a group of Jhogos Nhai slave women from the Jhogos Nhai plains took control of the slaver and sailed north.
The Moonsingers had prophesied a place that would serve as a sanctuary for the fugitives: a lagoon behind pine-covered hills and sea stacks, perpetually shrouded in fog, capable of obscuring them from the eyes of the dragonlords flying overhead.
Because the Moonsingers' prophecy came true and Braavos was founded, the Temple of the Moonsingers became the largest temple on the Isle of Gods.
Nightingale looked at Viserys, tall and handsome, with an air of adventure and taboo, and the confident, unapproachable glint in his purple eyes.
The magnificent and dangerous Last Dragon, vibrant and multifaceted as an artist, gourmet, and water dancer.
"You truly are your brother's brother," Nightingale said. "Equally handsome and exceptionally talented."
"You knew my brother?"
"No," Nightingale shook her head. "I've only heard stories of the Silver Prince. He often brought his harp to the ruins of Summerhall, and the songs he sang upon his return were so beautiful they brought women to tears."
"He was a failure. The shadow of Summerhall always clung to him," Viserys said calmly.
War is not only about right and wrong, but also about victory and defeat.
Nightingale looked at Viserys, somewhat surprised by this statement. However, it was normal to criticize or scold a prince who had lost his kingdom.
If not for Rhaegar destroying the dynasty, Viserys would still be living a life of extravagance.
"Alright, why do the Moonsingers want to contact me?" Viserys asked curiously. "If I recall correctly, they despise the dragonlords."
"Times have changed. There are no more dragons, and no more Valyrian Empire," Nightingale said with a smile. Her voice indeed had a sweet and sincere quality, enough to mesmerize anyone. "The Moonsinger priestesses naturally wish for friendly exchanges."
"They will invite you to write a sincere song, which is a supreme honor," Nightingale looked at Viserys. "Many singers dream day and night of writing a song for the Temple of the Moonsingers."
So it was to write a hymn. All temples and churches have many beautiful songs that priests lead believers in chanting, which suited his profession.
A hymn was like a themed essay, the main idea being to create a religious atmosphere. Anything that touched upon it would do, a kind of Puritan chant.
Viserys still had fragments of the Seven Gods' hymns in his memory, mostly praising the Seven. Queen Rhaella probably sang them to him when he was a child.
"Gentle Mother, fount of mercy, bless your sons through battle's fray, stop the arrows, stay the swords, let them see a brighter day.
Gentle Mother, hope of women, help your daughters through their plight, quell the fury, tame the madness, teach us kindness, pure and bright."
"I recall the Moonsingers don't worship any gods," Viserys asked.
"The Moonsingers don't worship gods, but they sing praises to the moon. Anything related to the moon is acceptable..."
Viserys: "..."
The Moonsingers' customs could sit at the same table as the Lord of Light, moon and light.
However, the fact that Braavos could gather so many religions without explosion or religious strife truly showed its openness and wisdom.
"Such empty fame means nothing to me," Viserys said coldly. "I want tangible things: money, or dragon eggs, dragon bones, Valyrian steel, and other materials. Even high-grade ingredients like sea snails would do."
"You are truly greedy. Dragon eggs are priceless, and the Temple of the Moonsingers might not even be able to acquire them. Other things, however, are possible..." Nightingale smiled, looking at the pragmatic Viserys. "Since the Moonsingers have the largest temple, they naturally don't need to worry about wealth. It will be a number that satisfies you."
"Braavos is truly a pragmatic city, turning people into slaves of money," the swordswoman said, as both sides reached a preliminary agreement.
"You can write a hymn for the Moonsingers. They don't worship a specific god, but merely praise the moon," Nightingale said. "In my opinion, the priestesses will consider it a masterpiece."
"It's not impossible to give it a try," Viserys replied.
Everything is negotiable, as long as there's money, Viserys thought.
"This is the symbol and invitation of the Temple of the Moonsingers. You can visit the temple anytime, and the priestesses will receive you..." Nightingale gave Viserys a coin, depicting a maiden holding up a crescent moon, likely the image of a Moonsinger.
Viserys took the coin. Do all these people in Braavos like to use coins as credentials?
However, Viserys was not in the mood to go for now, fearing he might be ambushed.
"That hymn you mentioned, can you sing a part of it for me?" Viserys asked Nightingale. Nightingale must have a close relationship with the Moonsingers, probably similar to a priestess's position.
"It would be my honor," Nightingale sang a song a cappella, and the melody was enchanting.
Viserys listened. It was generally a praise of the moon, asking the moon to protect mortals, and so on.
But the melody and chanting of the hymn truly had a soul-cleansing effect, not entirely a psychological one.
While listening to the song, Viserys also noticed that his mental attribute was slowly but surely increasing.
It seemed listening to such hymns had this effect.
"If possible, I truly hope to hear your singing often, Miss Nightingale."
"Every Braavosi says that," the swordswoman chuckled.
"Others don't understand what art is, but for you, I am willing to sing for you often," Nightingale said with a smile, thinking she had moved Viserys.
"Nothing else, but you can sing this hymn to me often."
Viserys specified, and the atmosphere immediately became very awkward. Nightingale's smile gradually froze.
This Viserys, could he really have a heart of stone?
After seeing off the courtesan, Viserys began to "krypton" dragon bones himself.
Compared to last time, his capacity had increased, but it was still limited to two bones, and the stacking attribute was not as high as the first time, showing a diminishing effect.
Even so, Viserys was very touched, as there was still positive feedback.
It was as if he had opened several mines; it would be unreasonable if he couldn't become a transcendent warrior this way.
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Final Reminder
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